CHANGING THE WORLD
(written on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in the crypts of Westminister Abbey):
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits,
I dreamed of changing the world.
As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.
But it too seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt,
I settled for changing only family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realize that if I had only changed myself first, then by example, I would have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.